A former sportswriter, Brophy was serving the general manager of the Class AAAMinneapolis Millers of the American Association when the club folded after the 1960 season due to the relocation of the then-Washington Senators to the Twin Cities as the Minnesota Twins. Brophy then joined the Twins as assistant director of farm clubs. After the death of Sherry Robertson, his boss, in 1970, Brophy was named to succeed him as Twins' vice president and farm director. Brophy stayed in this position until 1985, when he retired due to health problems and was succeeded by longtime deputy Jim Rantz.[2][3] Following his retirement, Brophy served as a special assignment scout for the Houston Astros until 1996.